A Deep Dive Into the Chicago Sky’s 2025 WNBA Season, Angel Reese’s Emergence, and the Road Ahead
As the 2025 WNBA season reaches its second half, the Chicago Sky find themselves in the midst of a challenging yet evolving campaign. Holding a 7–15 record at the All-Star break, the Sky have encountered both growing pains and bright spots under the guidance of their new head coach, Tyler Marsh. While their record may not reflect playoff contention, there are signs of potential, resilience, and rebuilding.
This is a team undergoing transformation — one that’s trying to find stability while leaning on young talent, most notably the phenomenal Angel Reese. Despite the tough start, the Sky remain a team to watch as the league heads into its stretch run.
Transition Under a New Coach
Tyler Marsh, in his inaugural season as head coach of the Sky, has had his hands full trying to steer this relatively young squad through the rigors of a highly competitive league. Marsh’s system, while promising in structure and strategy, faced early resistance from a team still learning how to function as a cohesive unit. The Sky began the season with a 3–10 record, a stretch that highlighted the difficulty of synchronizing a new coaching philosophy with a roster featuring both emerging and experienced players.
However, there were glimpses of improvement. In the four games leading into the WNBA All-Star break, Chicago managed to secure two wins. That stretch was arguably their most promising spell of the season, showcasing improved execution on both ends of the floor. This momentum was crucial for a team that had been struggling with chemistry and consistency in the early weeks of the campaign.
Angel Reese: A Beacon of Excellence
At the center of Chicago’s potential revival stands Angel Reese, the team’s standout forward who has consistently proven herself as one of the WNBA’s rising stars. Her ability to dominate both ends of the floor has been critical in helping the Sky remain competitive in a majority of their games.
Through the first 22 games of the season, Reese has played in 21 contests, establishing herself as the engine of the Sky’s offense and the heartbeat of their defense. She has averaged 14.0 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game — an impressive stat line that helped her secure a spot in the WNBA All-Star Game for the second consecutive year.
Reese’s impact transcends the numbers. She brings energy, leadership, and an intensity that lifts the performance of those around her. On the glass, she has been virtually unstoppable, recording 15 double-doubles so far this season and currently maintaining a streak of nine consecutive double-doubles. Her tenacity in rebounding and hustle plays has helped define the team’s identity under Marsh’s leadership.
Despite her stellar performance, Reese’s availability became a subject of concern heading into the All-Star break. She missed the Sky’s final game before the break — a matchup against the Atlanta Dream — due to an undisclosed leg injury. This raised alarms, especially given her value to the team and the physical toll she’s endured throughout the season.
All-Star Game Highlights
Although Reese sat out that pre-break game against Atlanta, she did return to the court for the WNBA All-Star Game, held just days later. Representing Team Collier, Reese contributed six points and nine rebounds in their 151–131 triumph over Team Clark. Her presence was felt even in limited minutes, especially on the boards, where she continued her tradition of dominance.
The game itself was a celebration of talent, featuring dazzling offense and explosive plays, but for Chicago fans, the focus remained on Reese’s health. Seeing her participate — and perform — in such a high-profile setting offered reassurance, but uncertainty still lingered about whether she’d suit up when regular-season play resumed.
Injury Updates and Availability
The big question heading into the Sky’s post-break schedule was whether Reese would be fully healthy for their next contest — a challenging road matchup against the Minnesota Lynx. That question was answered on Monday, when Chicago Sky reporter Karli Bell released the official injury report for the game.
To the relief of fans and teammates alike, Reese was not listed. Her exclusion from the injury report confirmed that she would be active and available for Tuesday’s game at the Target Center in Minneapolis. This was a crucial development, as the Sky prepare to face a formidable Lynx squad in a critical matchup.
However, not all injury news was favorable for Chicago. Bell’s update did include two notable absences: veteran guard Ariel Atkins and versatile forward Michaela Onyenwere were both ruled out. Atkins is dealing with a leg issue, while Onyenwere is sidelined with a knee injury — both suffered in the recent loss to Atlanta.
“Ariel Atkins (leg) is OUT. Michaela Onyenwere (knee) is OUT,” Bell wrote in her report, marking a blow to Chicago’s rotation depth.
These absences could significantly affect the team’s ability to space the floor and defend multiple positions — areas where both Atkins and Onyenwere typically contribute. With their sidelining, the pressure on Reese to perform at both ends of the court becomes even greater.
Looking Ahead: The Battle in Minneapolis
The Sky’s return to the court comes with high stakes. Tuesday’s contest against the Minnesota Lynx is more than just another game on the calendar. It represents a litmus test for a team looking to gain traction in the standings and build upon their modest pre-break momentum.
Scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. ET tip-off at the Target Center, the game pits Chicago against one of the Western Conference’s most dynamic teams. The Lynx boast a potent blend of experienced leadership and youthful energy, creating a matchup that could be both entertaining and revealing.
Reese’s availability is paramount. She’ll be counted on to provide interior dominance and serve as the emotional spark for a team looking to claw its way back into relevance. With the Sky missing two key players, Reese’s role becomes even more amplified. She’ll likely log extended minutes and take on additional responsibilities on both ends of the floor.
Beyond the game itself, the Sky are entering a defining stretch of their season. The upcoming schedule includes matchups that will test their mental fortitude, coaching adaptability, and roster resilience. For Coach Marsh, it’s an opportunity to evaluate how his team responds to adversity — not just in terms of win-loss outcomes, but in execution, effort, and team unity.
The Big Picture: Development and Rebuild
While the 7–15 record doesn’t scream playoff contender, it’s important to contextualize where the Sky are in their developmental arc. This is a team in transition. Tyler Marsh’s tenure is still in its infancy, and his system is being implemented gradually. Chemistry takes time to develop, especially when integrating young stars like Reese with experienced veterans and new acquisitions.
There are lessons to be learned from every game — wins and losses alike. The Sky are gradually building an identity rooted in hustle, rebounding, and aggressive defense. Angel Reese embodies those values, and her continued growth will be instrumental in determining the team’s trajectory not just this season, but in the years to come.
A successful second half of the season doesn’t necessarily mean qualifying for the playoffs. It could mean improvement in execution, development of younger players, establishing a winning culture, and laying the foundation for sustained success. In many ways, the Sky are playing a long game — one that prioritizes internal development as much as external results.
Final Thoughts
As the Sky get ready to face off against the Minnesota Lynx, they do so with both optimism and urgency. The return of Angel Reese is a vital boost, especially with the absences of Ariel Atkins and Michaela Onyenwere. The team’s performance in this next game will serve as a barometer for where they stand coming out of the break.
For fans and analysts, all eyes will be on Reese — not just to see if she can continue her incredible run of double-doubles, but also to observe how she shoulders the leadership mantle in the face of mounting responsibility.
The 2025 WNBA season is far from over, and while Chicago’s current record might not inspire visions of championship runs, the building blocks are in place. If Angel Reese continues to evolve and Tyler Marsh can get consistent buy-in from the rest of the roster, the Sky could still emerge as one of the league’s most compelling stories in the second half of the season.
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